Skin sins to avoid

Bad habits to banish from your everyday skincare routine

5. Not cleansing every night

 

Our skin uses our slumber time to breathe, so for a clear complexion, it's important to head to bed with clean skin. Forget to cleanse, and daily grime and make-up will prevent pores opening properly, allowing bacteria to thrive. The talcs and chemicals found in many cosmetics can hamper the skin's repair process, too - so not cleansing is a double whammy for your complexion.

 

If you find a full-on cleansing routine at night too much of a chore, keep a pack of no-fuss wipes by your bed, so you can sweep away the day's dirt in an instant.

 

Products to try

 

Morrison's Fragrance Free Facial Wipes, 88p for 25 wipes (0845 611 6111), are perfect for the job - and they come at a bargain price to boot.

 

 

6. Using the wrong skincare

 

Just as many women don't know their true bra size, plenty of us are also wide of the mark when it comes to knowing our skin type. And just as your cup size will fluctuate over time for any number of reasons, so your skin type is likely to change. Use the wrong products and at best you'll fail to give your skin what it needs to keep it looking its best, while, at worst, you can cause increased sensitivity, blemishes and breakouts.

 

Expert advice

 

‘The classic skin types are dry, oily and combination, but many experts also now believe sensitive and prematurely aged ought to be considered as well,' says Boots skincare scientific adviser Stewart Long. If you're unsure of your skin type, visit a reputable skincare counter for professional advice.

 

Services to try

 

The Clinique ‘computer' (www.clinique.co.uk; 0870 034 2566) is a free way for you to get your skin assessed.

 

7. Forgetting to exfoliate daily

 

To keep your skin looking its best, it's vital to exfoliate regularly. Left to their own devices, dead cells will build up on the skin's surface, where they dull your complexion's natural glow.

 

Expert advice

 

‘Removing the dry, dull-looking skin on the surface will give an instant radiance boost and make skin look healthier and fresher,' says Stewart. It will also help your skincare products to be absorbed more easily- which means they'll be more effective, too.

 

Products to try

 

Try the best-selling St Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub, £3.99 for
150ml (available nationwide).

 

Or if you prefer a non-granular approach, check out Elemis Papaya Peel, £26 for 50ml (www.elemis.com; 01278727830), which melts away surface debris and is ideal for sensitive and more mature skins.

 

On the body, try No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Body Exfoliator, £10 for 150ml (from Boots), which uses tiny crystals to sweep away surface cells and smooth those tiny bumps that can appear on arms and thighs.

 

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